Image: Supplied.

Months of anticipation finally came to an end as the gates dropped on the 40th annual AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Tennessee.

With 22 action-packed motos highlighting day one, the racing delivered plenty of entertainment as the quest began to crown 36 class champions in 2021.

One of the showcase divisions of Loretta Lynn’s is always 250 Pro Sport, a focal point thanks to a stacked roster of talent destined to graduate into the professional ranks.

This year’s field includes the likes of Preston Kilroy (BarX Chaparral Suzuki), Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha), and Jett Reynolds (Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green), each of whom entered with a shot at the AMA National Championship.

Kitchen grabbed the Stacyc holeshot award and never looked back, opening a gap on Hunter Yoder (Phoenix Racing Honda) and the rest of the chasing pack.

Kilroy worked his way into the number two spot, but was unable to track down an already checked out Kitchen at the front of the field.

Austin Black (AEO Powersports GasGas) worked his way into third, and eventually held off a charge from Reynolds late in the race to round out the podium.

Kitchen was docked three positions following the race for jumping on a red cross flag, handing the win to Kilroy, second to Black, and eventually finding himself in third, still well in contention for the championship.

Just like Pro Sport, 250 B is also a class brimming with talent, including Talon Hawkins (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Gage Linville (NSA bLU cRU Yamaha), Nick Romano (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha), Gavin Towers (Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green), and others.

As the field stormed out the gate and into the first turn it was KTM Orange Brigade’s Caden Braswell who grabbed the STACYC Holeshot, but Romano made a quick challenge to jump into the lead.

Braswell battled back and reclaimed the top spot before the completion of the opening lap and brought Red Bull KTM’s Daxton Bennick along with him into second.

Romano regrouped and came back to challenge Bennick. The Yamaha rider made an aggressive pass to take over second and looked to close the gap to the lead.

That ended up being all the work Romano had to do, as Braswell had a miscue and lost several positions. Romano inherited the lead as Linville charged up into second and Bennick followed in third, just ahead of Towers.

The Yamahas at the head of the pack stayed close to one another, as Linville kept Romano within striking distance, but as they navigated through lappers at the end of the moto Romano was able to slip away.

He charged home to the moto win, with Linville second and Towers third. Braswell recovered to grab fourth, while MotoSport Hillsboro Honda’s Preston Boespflug completed the top five.

Following a strong performance at Loretta Lynn’s last summer, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Evan Ferry was one of the riders many had their eyes on 125cc B/C.

So, when the gate dropped on the class’ first moto it wasn’t a surprise to see the second generation racer move into the early lead, bypassing Stacyc Holeshot earner Collin Allen and his EBR Performance Yamaha.

Once out front, Ferry asserted himself as the rider to beat ahead of KTM Orange Brigade’s Mark Fineis in second. Ferry opened up a big advantage, but a miscue on the final lap saw him tuck the front and crash, allowing Fineis to take the win.

Ferry went on to take second, with Logan Best (Triangle Cycles Yamaha) in third.

After a dominant, undefeated outing at Loretta Lynn’s last year, up-and-comer Haiden Deegan (KTM Orange Brigade) made the step up into Supermini 1 for 2021, with the expectation that he’d continue his minibike reign.

As the field charged out of the first turn to start Moto 1, it was Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Husqvarna’s Jackson Glathar who earned the Stacyc Holeshot, but Deegan was right there and stormed to the head of the pack.

With a clear track ahead, he sprinted out to a multi-second lead before the end of the opening lap and never looked back. Behind him, Monster Energy Vision Wheel GasGas’ Casey Cochran took hold of second, while KTM Orange Brigade’s Enzo Temmerman made the move into third.

The top three never relinquished their respective holds on those positions. Deegan was never threatened en route to another moto win at the ranch, with Cochran second and Temmerman third.

Additional winners on the day included Landen Gordon (Mini Sr. 1), Tayler Allred (Women), Heath Harrison (Junior 25+), Jeff Emig (Masters 50+), Jayden Clough (250B Limited), Cason Pinkston (250C), Gabe Holland (250C Jr.), Kimble Jett (450B), Blake Grindstaff (450C), Cason Pinkston (125C), Justin Cokinos (College 16-24), Broc Peterson (Vet 30+), Jimmy Jarrett (Senior 40+), Tayce Morgan (65cc 7-9), Tayce Morgan (65cc 7-9 Limited), Jonathen Getz JR. (65cc 10-11 Limited), Kannon Hargrove (85cc 10-12 Limited), and Thomas Wood (Mini Sr. 2 13-15).

The second day of motos for the 2021 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship continues today, 4 Aug, with broadcast coverage of every moto live on Racer TV.

Detailed results